Bangladesh climbs two places in rule of law index, ranked 123rd among 143 countries

Bangladesh has moved up two places in the rule of law index. In the World Justice Project's (WJP) Rule of Law Index 2026, Bangladesh ranks 123rd among 143 countries and jurisdictions. Despite the progress, the country still trails many nations in South America and Africa.

Bangladesh's score in the index is 0.39, against a global average of 0.55. In other words, although its ranking has improved, the gap with the global average score remains wide. Even so, Bangladesh this year became the world's 15th top improver in the rule of law index.

The regional picture is mixed. Among South Asian countries, Bangladesh leads in terms of progress. But in overall standing it is fourth in the region, behind Nepal in first place and Sri Lanka and India in second and third. Only Pakistan and Afghanistan are behind Bangladesh.

Several African countries are also ahead of Bangladesh in the index: Ghana at 62nd, Kenya 100th, Liberia 103rd, Sierra Leone 110th, Nigeria 120th and Zimbabwe 122nd — meaning Zimbabwe sits just one place above Bangladesh.

European countries hold the strongest positions in rule of law worldwide. The top five in the index are Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Luxembourg, in that order.

Countries are assessed in the index against eight factors: constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, order and security, regulatory enforcement, civil justice and criminal justice.

Bangladesh improved on three of the eight factors: constraints on government powers, absence of corruption and regulatory enforcement. Its position declined on the other five — meaning the overall advance was driven mainly by improvement in a few specific areas.

Bangladesh is weakest on protecting fundamental rights, ranking 133rd among the 143 countries and jurisdictions with a score of 0.31 in that factor. Its comparatively best standing is on open government, where it ranks 128th with a score of 0.42.

Overall, the index both recognises progress and makes the weak spots plain. Being the world's 15th top improver and leading South Asia on progress are positive signs, but a rank of 123rd and a score of 0.39 show there is still a long way to go.

Falling behind on a basic factor such as fundamental rights, and declining on five factors, is the most concerning aspect of the index. The picture suggests that sustained improvement in exactly those areas will be needed to lift the country's overall standing further.